Carney’s deal with China is pissing off Trump, but it’s exactly the sort of leverage Canada needs for the upcoming CUSMA negotiations. It’s more than just EVs and canola, and it’s more than a return to our previous trade arrangements with China. Carney’s deal signals how Canada intends to navigate the so-called “new world order.” But, with Xi Jinping purging his top generals, is China really as “predictable” as Carney suggests? Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (...
Jan 30, 2026•32 min•Ep. 1305
Carney’s speech made headlines around the world and positions Canada as a global thought leader. Why did it capture so much international attention, and will Carney’s Davos kudos benefit Canada in the long run? Jan Wong joins to unpack Carney’s rhetorical triumph and to dish on Margaret Atwood’s lunch beef 30 years later. Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio)...
Jan 28, 2026•37 min•Ep. 1304
We’re back in the middle of another Donald Trump tariff tantrum—this time over Canada’s trade relationship with China. And yet, for a brief moment, it felt like Canada was riding high on the world stage, with Mark Carney holding court in Davos at the World Economic Forum. So… which version of Canada is real right now? The confident global player, or the country once again bracing for Trump’s mood swings? Host Noor Azrieh puts that question to New York Times Canada Bureau Chief Matina Stevis-Grid...
Jan 27, 2026•34 min•Ep. 1303
A criminal gang driving around Toronto in stolen vehicles, impersonating police officers, sexually assaulting women, hate-motivated, and connected to ISIS. It was a shocking, sensational, frightening news story. And chances are you didn’t hear about it. Why? To answer that question we’re joined today by Ellin Bessner. She has worked for CBC, CTV, covered wars in Africa and Kosovo, and most recently she’s a reporter at the Canadian Jewish News. Clarification: Bessner covered the war in Kosovo for...
Jan 26, 2026•42 min•Ep. 1302
Alberta separatists are rallying to collect signatures to call a referendum. Meanwhile, with Francois Legault’s resignation, and the separatist Parti Quebecois leading in opinion polls, a referendum is once again a real possibility in Quebec Are Alberta and Quebec’s separatist movements a real threat to the unity of Canada? Plus, police officers charged in Manitoba, and fact-checking oil industry spin on CANADALAND. Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Pro...
Jan 23, 2026•37 min•Ep. 1301
As Trump’s threats of taking Greenland intensify, world leaders are in Davos for the World Economic Forum. It’s been a busy week for Mark Carney, following up diplomatic visits to China and Qatar with a landmark speech at the WEF that lays bare the unravelling of the global order. Plus, allegations of “crying rooms” at the CBC and the one year anniversary of DOGE. Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Au...
Jan 21, 2026•33 min•Ep. 1300
When the Liberals announced the national gun buyback program in 2019, it was supposed to be a simple and clear choice. A popular policy that made for an easy political win. 6 years later, it's looking more like the gun buyback program backfired on the Liberals. How did we get here? PLUS - All eyes on Greenland as Trump threatens to take control. Host: Noor Azrieh Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and T...
Jan 20, 2026•39 min•Ep. 1299
Trump invades Greenland tomorrow. Danish forces shoot on American forces. American forces shoot back. Maybe a Canadian gets killed since we're there in support of NATO. In the end America takes Greenland by force. What happens next, Bob? There may be nobody in this country who has had a closer view of the turmoil currently overwhelming the international order than former UN Ambassador Bob Rae. His tenure overlapped with COVID, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Oc...
Jan 19, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1298
Heated Rivalry’s breakout success is bringing CanCon, hockey, and gay sex to the world. Does this surprising hit give Canadian TV a new playbook? Heated Rivalry is also bringing in new hockey fans and helping the sport’s image, so why isn’t the NHL embracing it? Can the show have a real impact on hockey culture? Plus, Canada Proud double dips on CBC messaging, and an NDP leadership candidate uses AI to answer questions on Reddit. Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur ...
Jan 16, 2026•31 min•Ep. 1297
After weeks of protests, thousands of casualties, internet blackouts, and viral moments of resistance, the Canadian media is only now ramping up its coverage of the Iran, Why hasn’t there been more coverage of this historic moment in Canadian outlets? Plus, Iranian-Canadians have been rallying across the country, but progressives aren’t joining to support them. Duly Noting: updates on the WE Charity scandal, The Narwhal vs the RCMP, and a Toronto Sun reporter’s very bad tweet. This episode uses ...
Jan 14, 2026•42 min•Ep. 1296
Mark Carney heads to Beijing, China, marking the first time in 8 years a Canadian Prime Minister sets foot in the country. The trip comes as Canada juggles Chinese canola tariffs and a seriously fractured US trade relationship. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vina Nadjibulla and asks if it's even possible to play nice with China? Or whether this whole trip is a waste of time. Plus, we hear from Kelly Ann Shaw, a key architect of the Trump administration’s trade, investment, energy and national s...
Jan 13, 2026•34 min•Ep. 1295
The U.S. attack on Venezuela roiled Canadian oil markets. Pipelines and crude are suddenly spawning countless headlines. But do you know the difference between your sweet crude and a hole in the ground? And is that hole in the ground spurting sour bitumen? Of course that’s a trick question as everyone knows sour bitumen won’t spurt without dilbit. Right? What do you really know about oil? Given that it seems to be driving so much of our geopolitics and fuelling a large part of our economy, what ...
Jan 12, 2026•28 min•Ep. 1294
Twitter/X’s Grok is undressing people, including minors, but xAI doesn’t seem to care. Now that Twitter is worse than ever, will that be enough to stop Canadian public figures from using the platform? Jen Gerson of The Line joins to consider the future options for an online public square. Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor) Guest: Jen G...
Jan 09, 2026•32 min•Ep. 1293
In 2025, it seemed like there was always something to be worried or afraid about. Every day brought about change and uncertainty. So we wanted to know, what pre-occupied your mind in 2025, and what are you hopeful for in 2026? Listeners and Canadaland staff all contributed their voices to this documentary. Host: Sam Konnert Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher) Photo: Tony Wang Additional music by Audio N...
Jan 08, 2026•2 min•Ep. 14
What Maduro’s capture means for Canada. Trump’s military coup in Venezuela is a mask-off moment of American imperialism, but will it compel Canada to take meaningful action? Plus, sorting through Canada’s political and media responses to Venezuela. Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor) Guest: Jen Gerson Further reading: In a national emer...
Jan 07, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1292
Nicholas Maduro says he’s “not guilty” in his first court appearance in New York after being captured in a US military operation. But, Canadian politicians and Venezuelan-Canadian Alexis Espejo suggest otherwise. Sam talks with Alexis about how it felt to watch the news unfold. Plus, what do The Notebook, a haunted lumber baron’s wife, a swimming pool scandal, and a knife-wielding intruder all have in common? 24 Sussex Drive. Host: Sam Konnert Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konner...
Jan 06, 2026•51 min•Ep. 1291
One of the most powerful voices in Canadian media isn't Canadian. And she doesn’t work for a Canadian news outlet. Matina Stevis-Gridneff is the New York Times correspondent for Canada. Canadians have a weird relationship to the NYT. In one sense, it's the most powerful newspaper in Canada. It has more digital subscribers than any Canadian publication, although The Globe and Mail has more readers. On the other hand, of course, it's American, and we are living in the biggest transformation in our...
Jan 05, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1290
Canadaland fan-favourite guests share their predictions, while Jesse and Noor give their two cents. Topics include a Canadian bid to join the E.U., a social media ban in the southern hemisphere, and robot raccoons eating hot peppers. Plus: Jesse makes an informed prediction about the future of Canadaland. This episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Enhance Speech by Adobe on a recording of Jen Gerson Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associat...
Jan 02, 2026•32 min•Ep. 1289
It's the holidays and we are re-running a classic episode of Off The Record this week. Here at Canadaland it can often seem like just one shitty story after another. But it’s not just one more shitty story to round out the year. Nope. This is also a tale of hope, dreams, and IUDs. Every year Canadaland searches for and hires two fellows. Two new audio journalists who join us here and work with us for months to produce their first long form professional audio documentaries. This past year Mia Joh...
Dec 29, 2025•53 min•Ep. 1288
We're bringing you something different: an episode of the brand-new CBC series The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall . In the 1980s and 90s, Satan and his followers were accused of brainwashing children, sacrificing babies, and infiltrating North American society on a massive scale — yet these thousands of alleged Satanists were nowhere to be found. In the all new 8-part series, The Devil You Know from CBC , host Sarah Marshall ( You’re Wrong About ) explores the tangled web of the Satanic Pani...
Dec 26, 2025•46 min•Ep. 1287
Canadaland fan-favourite guests give the gift of Duly Noteds for Jesse and Noor to unwrap and judge mercilessly. Topics include secret Chinese police stations, the life and death of a right-wing party in B.C., and Danielle Smith’s French-language lessons. Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor) Guest: Noor Azrieh Additional music by Audio Network ...
Dec 24, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1286
Noor Azrieh and Sam Konnert look back on the moments that defined Canadian politics this year. We revisit viral clips, media meltdowns, Question Period fever dreams, floor crossers, immigration fights, Alberta separatism, national projects (that may or may not exist yet), and the growing sense that everything is moving very fast… but also somehow not at all. Plus: pop stars, masked singers, elbow-themed merch, biological clocks (obviously). Host(s): Noor Azrieh & Sam Konnert Credits: Aviva L...
Dec 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1285
Their stated goal is to manipulate your media and, by extension, you. We’re not flagging a secretive government agency here, not some media oligarch, no one in the usual line-up of Bondesque villains. In fact, many of us love what these master manipulators do. They are, drum roll please… composers! Their work literally underscores much of the podcast world. Their power lies in their ability to bypass the intellect and go straight for the heart. Chill it, warm it, speed it up. Today we meet some ...
Dec 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 1284
The choice between the F-35 and Saab’s Gripen E is a litmus test for Canada’s commitment to decoupling from America. As Carney reinvests in the military, is the Canadian media properly equipped to cover it? Plus, an $18 million CRA chatbox that is usually wrong. Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor) Guest: Rahim Mohamed Fur...
Dec 19, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1283
Floor crossers, falling polling numbers, and grumblings in the Conservative orbit. Pierre Poilievre sure looks shaky right now, but will it really make a difference in his upcoming leadership review? Rahim Mohamed of the National Post joins San Grewal to explain why Poilievre isn’t done just yet. Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brow...
Dec 17, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1282
United States Attorney General Pam Bondi is flexing the US’s military seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as the Trump administration deploys warships — and even nuclear submarines — off Venezuela’s coast. The White House says it’s about drugs, but it also signals a broader shift laid out in the new US National Security Strategy. So far, the Canadian government has been pretty quiet about what our closest ally is doing in Venezuela, and about this ominous security strategy. So what is a middle po...
Dec 16, 2025•42 min•Ep. 1281
The mystery of who drugged the cast and crew of the blockbuster Titanic is Hollywood lore. In 1996 James Cameron shot part of Titanic in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, when someone dumped PCP into the clam chowder the team was sharing on the last night of shooting. Over 50 people ended up in hospital. There was a police investigation but the case was never solved. Over the decades theories as to who and why have sprouted. These range from disgruntled caterers to vengeful bikers to insurance scams. Cana...
Dec 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 1280
The politics of Canada’s proposed hate crime law, Bill C-9. In order to pass the Combatting Hate Act, the Liberals are teaming up with the Bloc Quebecois and removing the exemption for religious texts in existing hate speech laws. The Conservatives aren’t happy about it. But do we need to update our hate crime laws in the first place? Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Direc...
Dec 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 1279
In 2022, artist Hua Yong died while kayaking off the Sunshine Coast in BC. A former Chinese agent alleges it was a murder. Radio-Canada tells the story of how China continues to target dissidents living in Canada. Plus, India joins the battle for the Arctic and a new low for freelance writing rates. Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor) ...
Dec 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1278
As Premier François Legault plunges in the polls, he’s panic-legislating: turbo-charging secularism laws, unveiling a “made-in-Quebec” constitution, and reigniting old identity battles that haven’t burned this hot in decades. Then we head west, where B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad resigned after a spectacular caucus revolt. Sam asks him directly: why did his own MLAs want him gone, who he blames, and whether he regrets anything. Host: Sam Konnert Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), S...
Dec 09, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1277
